Honour killing story: Dorota (2013)

Dorota
born: 1969
Attempted murder with acid: 20 July 2013
Residence: Pinneberg (near Hamburg)
Provenance: Victim: Poland; Perpetrator: Turkey
Children: 1 daughter (about 10 years old)
Perpetrator: Birol K., her divorced living husband (53 years)

Dorota and Birol have been divorced since 2011, the divorce is imminent. Dorota works as a cleaning lady, has a new boyfriend and a 10-year-old daughter from a previous relationship.

Birol, who works as a taxi driver, does not want to accept that his ex-wife turns to someone else. On 20 July, he lies waiting for her and stabs her in the street. Then he pours sulphuric acid over her to maim her. A passer-by comes to her rescue and immediately drives her to the hospital.

Birol is trying to commit suicide. Both the perpetrator and the victim are taken to the hospital and survive.

In January 2014 the trial will start at the regional court of Itzehoe. In February the perpetrator will be sentenced to 8 years imprisonment for attempted murder and infliction of dangerous bodily harm.

What is an honour killing?

An honour killing is a murder in the name of honour. If a brother murders his sister to restore family honour, it is an honour killing. According to activists, the most common reasons for honour killings are as the victim:

refuses to cooperate in an arranged marriage.
wants to end the relationship.
was the victim of rape or sexual assault.
was accused of having a sexual relationship outside of marriage.

Human rights activists believe that 100,000 honour killings are carried out every year, most of which are not reported to the authorities and some are even deliberately covered up by the authorities themselves, for example because the perpetrators are good friends with local policemen, officials or politicians. Violence against girls and women remains a serious problem in Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Iran, Serbia and Turkey.